A 3-bet is a re-raise after an opening raise. It can build a pot with strong hands or pressure parts of an opener’s range that cannot comfortably continue.
Value 3-bets
Value comes from being ahead of hands that will call or 4-bet. The correct value range depends on who opened and from where: a hand strong against a late-position open may be marginal against a tight early-position range.
Bluff 3-bets
Bluff candidates should have reasons beyond “this hand looks playable.” Useful properties can include blockers to strong continuing hands, reasonable equity when called and poor attractiveness as a flat call.
Position changes everything
Out of position, postflop realization is harder and sizing often needs to compensate. In position, you retain an informational advantage on later streets.
Live-table adjustment
If an opener almost never folds, bluff 3-betting loses appeal and value 3-betting becomes more important. If players open too widely and fold too often, selective pressure becomes more attractive.
Do not 3-bet because you feel “due” to be aggressive. Tie the action to opponent range, your hand’s properties and the players behind.
Building a 3-bet decision
Value and pressure are different reasons
Some 3-bets are made because your hand expects to be ahead of the range that continues. Others use blockers, position or fold equity to pressure an opening range. Beginners are usually better served by understanding strong value 3-bets first before adding more aggressive bluffs.
Sizing depends on position and prior size
A 3-bet is usually larger when you will be out of position because the caller receives positional advantage after the flop. Live opening sizes can also be much larger than online conventions, so rigid multipliers can produce poor results. Focus on the pot being created and the stack that will remain behind.
Plan for the next action
A 3-bet is not the end of the hand. Consider how you will respond if the opener folds, calls or 4-bets. Thinking one decision ahead prevents the common mistake of making an aggressive raise without knowing what continuing ranges or stack depths imply.
Continue with the related guide